Andrew F. Draxler

HEATH - Andrew F. Draxler of Heath died on Nov. 30, 2014.
He was born in Madison, WI, to John H. and Virginia J. Draxler. He grew up on a farm in Waunakee, WI, and received a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He then moved to New Jersey where he began a long career working for NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center at the James J. Howard Marine Laboratory on Sandy Hook, starting as a Research Chemist and retiring as the Chief of the Marine Chemistry Branch. While at the lab, he specialized in water and sediment chemistry, was a NOAA certified diver and dive master, served as a U.S. delegate to the International Council on the Exploration of the Sea, and received his Ph.D. in Ecology from Rutgers University.
He was an active member and chair of the Monmouth chapter of the American Chemical Society, was on the board of the Community YMCA in Red Bank, and was a longtime member of the Monmouth Boat Club. Sailing was a passion of his and he completed the Bermuda 1-2 race, sailing solo from Newport to Bermuda. His interests were diverse ranging from restoring old vehicles to astronomy, cooking, gardening, playing piano, and travelling off the beaten path. He never tired of learning new things. After retiring, Andy and his family moved to Heath to begin a second career in farming, raising grains and grass-fed beef.
In Heath, he served on the Mohawk Trail School Committee, the Sustainable Energy Committee and the Heath Agricultural Society.
He leaves his wife and partner Susan and sons, William and Alexander of Heath, and brother and sister-in-law, John and Leona Draxler of Portage, WI, and their children Lisa Engdahl and Loren Draxler.
There will be a gathering to celebrate his life at a future date.
Donations in Andy's memory can be made to the Union of Concerned Scientists at ucsusa.org, the Heath Agricultural Society at PO Box 10, Heath, MA 01346 or the Wetlands Institute at wetlandsinstitute.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home in Shelburne Falls.